Biography

Composer and performer Önder Özkoç grew up immersed in the folk songs sung by his parents. In search of new modes of expression, he describes his music as an attempt to discover a natural waterway shaped by the Turkish music environment that has nourished him since childhood.

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Composing for a wide range of genres, styles, and instrumental combinations, Özkoç has participated in numerous events in Turkey and abroad. He has appeared as an invited speaker and has given lectures on Traditional Turkish Music and Modern Turkish Music at institutions such as Carnegie Mellon University (USA), Gheorghe Dima Music Academy (Romania), and the 2024 “Du Vert à l’Infini” Pluralistic Music Festival (France).

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His primary areas of interest include maqam-geography music, cultural crossings, and contemporary music. In addition to his compositional work, he conducts research on modal- and maqam-based music education systems.

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Özkoç studied Economics (English) at Hacettepe University (1996–2000) and Composition at the Hacettepe University Ankara State Conservatory (2000–2008). Largely self-taught before entering the conservatory, he studied composition with Sevgi Ünal for two years and later with Serdar Muhatov for six years. He completed his Master’s degree and Proficiency in Art in composition under the supervision of Turgay Erdener at Hacettepe University.

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Özkoç taught at the Hacettepe University Ankara State Conservatory Composition Department between 2008 and 2021. Since 2021, he has been working as an Associate Professor at the Composition Department of Ankara Music and Fine Arts University.

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For more information: ozkoconder.com